Well packer setting device



4 Sheets-Sheet 1 D. D. WEBB WELL PACKER SETTING DEVICE Ill IIIlIr R g m 2 E m A mW A z a v I 1 6 W w M A B 3% d WM Z A747 4 A7 4/ 4/47 I Ill-ll, 9 a w x 7 1. A I .l\.l & 7f 7 7 A #r s 34 n April 4, 1961 Fiie d Dec. 51, 1957 Apnl 4, 1961 D. D. WEBB WELL PACKER SETTING DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 51, 1957 w W /X i l l 1:

April 4, 1961 Filed Dec. 31, 1957 D. D. WEBB WELL PACKER SETTING DEVICE $1 F -az 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR 25/9851 .0. W555 ATTORNEY 7 2,978,028 WELL PACKER SETTING DEVICE Derrel D. Webb, Houston, Tex., assignor to Houston Engineers, Inc., Houston, Tex., a corporation of Texas Filed Dec. 31, 1957, Ser. No. 706,356 9 Claims. ((31. 166-63 This invention relates to well equipment and more particularly to a setting device suspended on a wire line in a well for use in setting bridge plugs, packers and/ or other equipment commonly used in oil and other wells.

Setting devices suspended from a wire line in a well and utilized for setting bridge plugs or packers have long been known and used in the oil well industry, but the majority of these devices were designed to be utilized in relatively shallow wells, but as it became necessary to drill deeper wells with resulting higher pressures, many of these prior art devices were unsuitable for use therein since the extreme pressures encountered adversely affect the operation of the setting devices. Certain of these prior art setting devices utilize explosive cartridges for providing the power necessary to set the packer in the well and attempts were made to overcome higher well pressures by increasing the powder charge utilized in the cartridges to provide increased power which in some cases was sufficient to operate the equipment, but at the same time, introduced a very dangerous condition in that, the increased powder charges were dangerous to handle and, in the event of an explosion on the surface, were likely to result in injury or death to personnel, as well as considerable damage to surrounding equipment. Accordingly, the use of an increased powder charge to overcome high well pressures does not represent a satisfactory solution to the problem and consequently, further consideration has been given to providing a packer setting device which will operate efficiently under conditions of extremely high pressure in deep wells and at the same time, provide a device which is safe to handle and use.

It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a packer setting device for wells in which the operation thereof is substantially independent of the pressures present in such wells.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a packer setting device for wells which may be suspended on a wire line, such device utilizing an explosive cartridge to provide the actuating power and in which means is provided to multiply the power provided by such cartridge without increasing the powder charge beyond safe limits.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a packer setting device for wells which may be suspended on a wire line and utilized for setting conventional packers and in which the device operates substantially independently of the pressures present in the wells.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a packer setting device for use in wells which may be suspended from a wire line and in which operation of the device may be initiated by dropping a weighted memher down the line, the operation of the device thereafter being independent of the pressures present in the well.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a packer setting device for wells which may be suspended on a wire lineand in which operationof the device may be initiated by an electric current provided from the surface and serving to detonate an explosive cartridge which provides the operating power for the setting device which in turn operates substantially independently of the pressures present in the wells.

, A still further object of the invention is the provision of a packer setting device for wells which may be suspended on a wire line, such device being made up of a detonating section, a power generating section and a motor section, which sections may be conveniently disassembled for repair, transportation or storage.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a packer setting device for wells which may be suspended on a wire line, which device is relatively simple in construction but which efficiently operates to perform a settinlgl operation, regardless of the pressures present in the we s. 7

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: Fig. 1a is a longitudinal sectional view showing the upper detonating section of a setting device constructed in accordance with this invention and suspended in a well casing;

a Fig. 1b, a longitudinal sectional view showing the remainder of the upper detonating section, as well as the intermediate power generating section; Fig. la, a longitudinal sectional view showing the motor section of the setting device of this invention;

Fig. 1d, a longitudinal sectional view showing the v releasable coupling between the motor section and the well packer to be set in the well;

Fig. 2, a longitudinal sectional view showing the packer in expanded engagement with the wall of the well casing after operation of the setting device of this invention;

Fig. 3, a longitudinal sectional view showing a modified form of detonating section in which an electrical current is used for detonating an explosive cartridge;

Fig. 4a, a longitudinal sectional view showing a portion of a modified motor section for the setting device of this invention; and

Fig. 4b, a longitudinal sectional view showing the remainder of the modified motor'section shown in Fig. 4a.

With continued reference-to the drawing, there is shown .a well casing 10 within which the setting device of this invention is suspended to set a packer therein in order to seal off the well. With particular reference to Figs. la and 1b, there is shown the upper detonating section of the setting device of this invention, which section may well comprise an elongated cylindrical body 11 provided at the upper end with a threaded socket 12 for threadedly engaging a rope coupling 13 to which may be secured in any desired manner, a conventional wire line or rope 14. A sleeve 15 is slidably received on the upper portion of the body 11 and secured to the upper end of the sleeve 15 by screw threads or other suitable means 16, is an impact receiving portion 17, the purpose of which will be later described. The lower edge 18 of the sleeve 15 is beveled inwardly, as clearly shown in Fig. In, for a purpose to be presently described.

An axial bore 19 is provided in the body 11 and serves to slidably receive a plunger 20 which projects downwardly into a recess 21 within which is positioned a compression spring 22 which in turn engages a collar 23 on the plunger 20 and the plunger 20 terminates in a reduced portion 24 extending below the collar 23. The collar 23 and reduced portion 24 are disposed in a recess 25 in the body 11 which terminates in a shoulder 26 and the lower end of the body 11 is provided asrepas 3 with internal threads 27 for a purpose to be presently described.

The axial bore 19 terminates in a slot 28 extending through the body 11 and the plunger 20 is provided at the upper end with an enlarged head 29 disposed in the slot 28. Suitable sealing means 30 may be provided on the plunger 20 in order to prevent leakage of gas around the plunger 20 and through the bore 19. Diametrically disposed axially extending grooves 31 and 32 are provided in the body 11 with the lower ends of such grooves terminating in the slot 28 and pivotally mounted in the grooves 31 and 32 are latch members 33 and 34 secured in place by pivot pins 35 and 36. The lower ends of latch members 33 and 34 are provided with inwardly projecting jaws 37 and 38 for engaging the head 29 on the plunger 20 to hold the same in cocked or retracted position. The jaws 37 and 38 are yieldably held in engagement beneath the head 29 of the plunger 26 by a compression spring 39 extending between the upper ends of the latch members 33 and 34. The latch members 33 and 34 are shown in full lines in engagement with the head 29 on the plunger 20 and are shown in dotted lines in the position occupied upon release of the plunger 20 in a manner to be later described. It is further to be noted, that the upper ends 40 and 41 of the latch members 33 and 34 are beveled to cooperate with the beveled lower edge 18 of the sleeve 15 in a manner to be later described.

The intermediate power generating section may well comprise a cylindrical member 42 having screw threads 43 at the upper end for engaging the screw threads 27 on the lower end of the body 11 of the upper detonating section and the cylindrical member 42 is provided with an axial bore 44 extending therethrough. The axial bore 44- terminates at the upper end in an annular recess 45 providing a shoulder 46 and disposed in the bore 44 is a bushing 4-7 having an annular flange 48 disposed in the recess 45 and engaging the shoulder 46. The bushing 47 provides a chamber 49 for receiving an explosive cartridge 50' and such cartridge may, of course, be loaded with any desired or suitable explosive material.

A block 51 engages the upper end of the cylindrical member 42, as well as the upper end of the flange 48 on the bushing 47 and also engages the shoulder 26 on the upper body member 11 to retain the bushing member 47 and explosive cartridge 50 in place in the bore 44 in the cylindrical member 42. A plug 52 is threadedly received at 53 in a bore 54 in the block 51 and the plug 52 is provided with an aperture 55. The aperture 55 communicates with the explosive cartridge chamber 49 and serves to receive a percussion cap 56 which upon detonation serves to detonate he explosive charge 56 in the chamber 49. Provided on the upper end of plug 52 is projection 57 and slidably mounted on this projection is a hammer member 58 provided with a firing pin 59 for striking the percussion cap 56. The firing pin 59 is held out of striking position by a shear pin 66 engaging the hammer 58 and the projection 57. The operation of this mechanism will be later described, and it is further to be noted that the hammer 58 is disposed in the path of movement of the reduced portion 24 on the plunger 20.

The lower end of the cylindrical member 42 is provided with a threaded bore 61 for'threadedly engaging the upper end of a piston rod 62 which connects the intermediate power generating section to the lower motor section to be presently described.

With particular reference to Fig. 1c, the motor section may well comprise a tubular member 63 having a cylinder head 64 fixed to the upper end thereof and an aperture in the cylinder head 64 may be provided with packing means 65 for engaging and slidably receiving the piston rod 62. The tubular member 63 serves to provide a cylinder chamber 66 and slidably disposed in the cylinder chamber 66 and fixed to the piston rod 62 is a piston 67 provided with suitable packing means 68 engaging the sidewall of the cylinder chamber 66.

An axial bore 69 is provided in the piston rod 62 and as shown in Fig. 1b, the bore 69 communicates with the bore 44 in the intermediate power generating section. Also provided in the piston rod 62 are radial passages 70 which communicate with the axial passage 69 and also with the portion 71 of the cylinder chamber 66 below the piston 67.

A lower cylinder head 72 is threadedly secured at 73 with the lower end of the tubular member 63 and the lower cylinder head 72 is provided with packing means 74 for receiving and slidably engaging the piston rod 62. Also provided on the cylinder head 72 is packing means 75 for providing a seal between the cylinder head 72 and the cylinder chamber 66. Provided on the lower end of cylinder head 72 is an elongated threaded skirt 76 and a slip engaging sleeve 77 is adjustably received on the threaded skirt 76. The sleeve 77 may be locked in adjusted position by a lock nut 78, also received on the threaded skirt 76. The slip engaging sleeve 77 is provided at the lower end with an internal flange 79 (see Fig. 2) and secured to the lower end of the piston rod 62 within the sleeve 77 is a mandrel coupling member 80 provided with downwardly extending spring fingers 81 which in turn, are provided at their lower ends with inwardly extending jaws 82. The upper bore of sleeve 77 is enlarged at 77b so as to readily receive the jaws 82. An axial exhaust passage 83 is provided in the lower end of the piston rod 62 and this passage communicates at the upper end with a radial exhaust passage 84 which operates in a manner to be later described. It is to be noted, that the exhaust passage 83 is open at the bottom.

With particular reference to Fig. 1d and Fig. 2, the packer to be set in the well casing 10 by the setting device of this invention may well comprise upper and lower expansible slips 85 and 86, as well as an expansible packer collar 87 of yieldable material disposed between the upper and lower slips 85 and 86, and the slips and collar are received over a mandrel 88 which is provided adjacent the lower end with a collar 89 for engaging the lower slips 86 and at the upper end with an enlarged head 96 providing an annular shoulder 91. Gripping means 92- is also provided for engaging the mandrel 88 to hold the slips $5 and 86 and the collar 87 in expanded engagement with the well casing 10, as clearly shown in Fig. 2.

The packer is shown in Fig. 1d in collapsed condition and as clearly seen therein, the jaws 82 on the spring fingers 81 engage beneath the shoulder 91 on the enlarged upper end 96 of the mandrel'88 and the lower end of sleeve 77 engages the upper slips 85. In this condition, the entire setting device with the packer attached thereto is lowered into the well casing 10 and upon reaching the desired depth a weighted bar 93- (Fig. 1a) is dropped down the wire line 14 into engagement with the impact receiving member 17 which in turn, moves the sleeve 15 downwardly and engages the beveled lower edge 18 thereof with the beveled upper ends 40 and 41 of the latch members 33 and 34 to release the jaws 37 and 38 of such latches from the head 29 on the plunger 26 which in turn permits the compression spring 22 to urge the plunger 29 downwardly and the portion 24 into engagement with the hammer 58. This engagement results in shearing the pin 60' thereafter permitting the firing pin 59' to contact the percussion cap 56 and detonate the same which in turn, detonates the explosive cartridge 50 with the resulting gas pressure building up in the axial bore 44 in the cylindrical member 42 of the power generating section.

The high pressure gases resulting from the explosion of the cartridge 50 flow through the axial passage 69 in the piston rod 62 and out through the radial passages 70 into the portion 71 of the cylinder chamber 66 below the piston 67. This results in moving the piston 67 upwardly and the tubular member 63 of the motor section downwardly to bring the sleeve 77 into engagement with the upper slips 85 and at the same time, to pull the mandrel 88 upwardly thereby bringing the collar 89 into engagement with the lower slips 86, which movement serves to expand the upper and lower slips 85 and 86 as well as the packing collar 87. into firm engagement with the wall of the well casing 10, as clearly shown in Fig. 2. Continued upward movement of the piston rod 62 will move the jaws 82 on the spring fingers 81 above the internal flange 79 on the sleeve 77 into recess 77b, at which time, such jaws will be released from the shoulder 91 on the enlarged upper end 90 of the mandrel 88, thereby releasing the setting device from the packer, at which time, the setting device may be hoisted out of the well leaving the packer in place therein.

It is to be noted, that the above described operation is substantially independent of any pressures existing in the well by reason of the fact that the diameter of the piston rod 62 above and below the cylinder 66 is the same, 'as a result of which the force exerted on the piston rod 62 above and below the cylinder 66 by well pressure will remain equal regardless of piston rod movement with respect to the cylinder 66 and tubular member 63 and consequently, the packer is set in place by utilizing a minimum of power. It is also to be noted, that the upward movement of the piston rod 62 brings the radial exhaust passage 84 into communication with the lower portion 71 of the cylinder chamber 26 thereby permitting exhaust of the gases therein through the axial exhaust passage 83 into the well.

With particular reference to Fig. 3, there is shown a somewhat modified form of the invention in which the upper detonating section may comprise a cylindrical body 93 having screw threaded means 94 adjacent the upper end for attaching a rope coupling 95 to which is secured, in any suitable manner, a wire line or rope 96 which may also serve as an electrical conductor or within which may be positioned suitable electrical conductors.

A central bore 97 is provided in the body 93 and an insulating sleeve 98 is provided in the bore 97 and serves to receive a fixed contact 99 at the upper end thereof which is connected through a suitable conductor 100 with the wire line 96 or other conductor provided therein. A slidable contact 101 is positioned in the insulating sleeve 98 and the contact 101 is urged downwardly by a compression spring 102 positioned within the sleeve 98 and engaging the fixed contact 99, as well as the movable contact 101. A recess 103 is provided in the lower end of the body 93 with the movable contact 101 projecting into such recess and a shoulder 104 is provided in the wall of the recess 103 for a purpose to be presently described. a

The intermediate power generating section is similar to that described above in connection with the first form of the invention and may comprise a cylindrical member 105 having an axial, bore 106 therein and a bushing 107 disposed in the upper end of the bore 106 and provided with a radial flange 108 at the upper end received in an annular recess 109 and engaging a shoulder 110. The bushing 107 serves to provide a chamber for an explosive cartridge 111.

A block 112 is disposed in engagement with the upper end of the cylindrical member 105, as well as the upper end of the flange 108 on the bushing 107 and the block 112 also engages the shoulder 104 on the body 93 in order to securely hold the bushing 107 in place in the cylindrical member 105 of the intermediate power generating section. The block 112 is provided with an aperture 113 communicating with the chamber for receiving the explosive cartridge 111 and the aperture 113 serves to receive a detonating cap 114 which may be secured in place by a set screw 115. Asclearly shown in Fig. 3, the detonating cap 114 engages the spring Ptessed movable contact 101.

In the operation of this form of the invention, it is only necessary to apply an electrical current to the detonating cap 114 through the necessary conductors and the contact 101 which will result in detonating the cartridge 1 111 and thereafter the operation of the setting device is identical with that described above in connection with the first form of the invention.

In the above described forms of the invention there has been shown a motor section utilizing a single piston and cylinder, but where it is desired to multiply the force provided by the exploding cartridge a motor section consisting of a plurality of cylinders and pistons may be utilized and such a structure is shown in Figs. 4a and 4b. With particular reference to these figures, the modified motor section may well comprise a tubular member 116 having a cylinder head 117 fixed to the upper end thereof and an aperture in the cylinder head 117 may be provided with packing means 118 for engaging and slidably receiving a piston rod 119. The tubular member 116 serves to provide a cylinder chamber 120 and slidably disposed in the cylinder chamber 120 and fixed to the piston rod 119 is a'piston 121 provided with suitable packing means 122 engaging the sidewall of the cylinder chamber 120.

An axial bore 123 is provided in the piston rod 119 and the bore 123 communicates with the bore 44 in the intermediate power generating section. Also provided in the piston rod 119 are radial passages 124 which communicate with the axial passage 123 and also with the portion of the cylinder chamber 120 below the piston 121.

A cylinder head 125 is threadedly secured at 126 with the lower end of the tubular member 116 and the cylinder head 125 is provided with packing means 127 for receiving and slidably engaging the piston rod 119. Also provided on the cylinder head 125 is packing means 128 for providing a seal between the cylinder head 125 and the cylinder chamber 120. Provided on the lower end of cylinder head 125 is a tubular member 129 which serves to provide a second cylinder chamber 130 and a second piston rod 131 is threadedly connected at 132 to the lower end of piston rod 119 and fixed to the second piston rod 131 and slidably received in the second cylinder chamber 130 is a second piston 133 provided with packing means 134 engaging the sidewall of cylinder chamber 130. The second piston rod 131 is provided with an axial bore 135 which communicates with the axial bore 123 in the piston rod 119 and radial passages 136 communicate with the axial bore 135 and with the igcgond cylinder chamber 130 below the second piston A lower cylinder head 137 is threadedly secured at 138 with the lower end of the tubular member 129 and the lower cylinder head 137 is provided with packing means 139 for receiving and slidably engaging the piston rod 131. Also provided on the lower cylinder head 137 is packing means 140 for providing a seal between the lower cylinder head 137 and the second cylinder chamber 130. Provided on the lower end of the lower cylinder head 137 is an elongated threaded skirt 141 and a slip engaging sleeve 142 is adjustably received on the threaded skirt 141. The sleeve 142 may be locked in adjusted position by a lock nut 143 also received on the threaded skirt 141. The structure of the slip engagingsleeve 142 is the same as slip engaging sleeve 77, above described, and consequently no further detailed description of the sleeve 142 is believed necessary. A mandrel coupling member 144 is threadedly secured, as at 145, to the lower end of the second piston rod 131 and the structure of the mandrel coupling member 144 is identical with the mandrel coupling member 80, above described, and consequently no further detailed description of the mandrel coupling member 144 is considered necessary. An axial exhaust passage 146 is provided in the lower end of the second piston rod 131 and this exhaust passage communicates at the upper end with a radial exhaust passage 147. It is to be noted that the exhaust passage 146 is open at the lower end thereof.

The diameter of the piston rod 119 above and below the piston 121 is the same as the diameter of the second piston rod 131 above and below the piston 133 and the operation of the form of the invention shown in Figs. 4a and 4b is identical to that described above in connection with the first form of the invention, it being noted that explosion of the cartridge will result in high pressure gases flowing through the passage 123 in the piston rod 11? and through the radial passages124 into the cylinder chamber 12!) below the piston 121 and also through the passage 135 in the second piston rod 131 and through the radial passages 136 into the cylinder chamber 130 below the second piston 133. This, of course, results in applying the pressure to the two pistons simultaneously thereby multiplying the force exerted on the piston rods 119 and 131 to provide relative movement between such piston rods and the tubular members 116 and 129. Since the operation of the remainder of the device is fully described above and such operation with the motor section shown in Figs. 4a and 4b is identical, no further description of such operation is considered necessary. I

It will be seen that by the above described invention, there has been provided a relatively simple setting device for properly setting packers in wells and in which the operation of the device is substantially independent of the pressures existing in the well and also a device in which the operating force may be conveniently multiplied by the addition of a suitable number of pistons and cylinders which will serve to multiply the force provided by an explosive cartridge of relatively small size. This results in providing a suflicient force to operate the device and at the same time, minimizes danger from explosions while handling the apparatus on the surface.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof and therefore the invention is not limited by that which is shown in the drawings and described in the specification, but only as indicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A device for setting a well packer having upper and lower expansible slips for engaging and gripping a well casing, an expansible packing collar of yieldable material disposed between said upper and lower slips, a slidable mandrel for expanding said slips and collar and means for locking said mandrel to said slips and collar in expanded engagement with said well casing, said mandrel having an enlarged upperend providing an annular shoulder, said device comprising a detonating section, an intermediate power generating section and a lower motor and packer coupling and setting section, said detonating section comprising an elongated cylindrical body, a rope coupling secured to the upper end of said body, a sleeve slidably received on said body and having an impact receiving portion disposed above said coupling, the lower end of said sleeve being beveled inwardly, a slot extending through said body below said sleeve, a spring loaded plunger in the lower end of said body having a head on the upper end disposed in said slot and with the lower end projecting into a downwardly opening recess in said body, diametrically opposed axial grooves in said body communicating with said slot, a latch pivotally mounted in each groove, means on the lower end of each latch for engaging said head to hold said plunger in retracted position, spring means for holding said latches in engagement with said head with the upper ends of said latches disposed in the path of movement of said sleeve and means on the lower end of said detonating section for detachably securing the same to the upper end of said intermediate section, said intermediate section comprising a cylindrical member having an axial bore extending therethrough, art annular recess at the upper end of said bore providing a shoulder, a

bushing disposed in the upper end of said bore and having an annular flange engaging said shoulder, said bushing providing a chamber for receiving an explosive cartridge, a block engaging the upper end of said memher and bushing and a shoulder in a recess in said upper section to hold said bushing and cartridge in place, a plug mounted in said block, an aperture in said plug for receiving a percussion cap, said aperture communicating with said cartridge chamber, an upwardly extending projection on said plug, a hammer slidably mounted on said projection in the path of movement of said plunger, a firing pin on said hammer for striking a percussion cap positioned in said aperture, a shear pin engaging said hammer and projection to maintain said firing pin out of striking position and a piston rod detachably secured to the lower end of said intermediate section to secure said lower motor section thereto, said motor section comprising a tubular member providing a motor cylinder, a cylinder head fixed to the upper end of said tubular member, an aperture in said cylinder head slidably receiving said piston rod, a piston slidably disposed in said cylinder and fixed to said piston rod, an axial passage in said piston rod communicating with the bore in said intermediate section, radial passages in said piston rod communicating with said axial passage and said cylinder below said piston, a lower cylinder head closing the lower end of said cylinder and slidably receiving said piston rod, the diameter of said piston rod above and below said piston being substantially constant, an elongated threaded skirt on said lower cylinder head, a slip engaging sleeve threadedly received on said skirt, a lock nut for locking said last named sleeve in adjusted position, a mandrel coupling member secured to the lower end of said piston rod and comprising spring fingers surrounding the enlarged upper end of said mandrel, jaws on the lower ends of said fingers for engaging under the shoulder of said mandrel, an internal flange on the lower end of said last named sleeve engaging said fingers to retain said jaws in shoulder engaging position, an axial exhaust passage in the lower end of said piston rod communicating with a radial exhaust passage movable into communication with said cylinder to exhaust gas pressure upon completion of the setting operation, said fingers operating to release said mandrel upon movement of said jaws above said internal flange.

2. A device as defined in claim 1 in which a plurality of pistons and cylinders are provided in the intermediate power generating section in order to multiply the power obtainable from the explosive cartridge and in which said pistons are mounted on a common piston rod with the diameter of said rod maintained substantially constant.

3. A device for setting a well packer having upper and lower expansible slips for engaging and gripping a well casing, an expansible packing collar of yieldable material disposed between said upper and lower slips, a slidable mandrel for expanding said slips and collar and means for locking said mandrel to hold said slips and collar in expanded engagement with said well casing, said mandrel having an enlarged upper end providing an annular shoulder, said device comprising an upper detonating section, an intermediate power generating section and a lower motor and packer coupling and setting section, said upper section comprising an elongated cylindrical body, a rope coupling secured to the upper end of said body, a spring loaded plunger in the lower end of said body with the lower end projecting into a downwardly opening recess in said body, means mounted on said body for engaging said plunger to hold said plunger in retracted position, means for releasing said last named means and plunger and means on the lower end of said upper section for detachably securing the same to the upper end of said intermediate section, said intermediate section comprising a cylindrical member having an axial bore extending therethrough, a chamber in said bore for receiving an explosive cartridge, a block cngaging the upper end of said member and a shoulder in the recess of said upper section to hold said cartridge in place, a plug mounted in said block, an aperture in said plug for receiving a percussion cap, said aperture communicating with said cartridge chamber, a hammer movably mounted on said plug in the path of movement of said plunger, a firing pm on said hammer for striking a percussion cap positioned in said aperture, means for releasably, maintainmg said firing pin out of striking position and a piston rod detachably secured to the lower end of said intermediate section to secure said lower motor section thereto, said motor section comprising a tubular member providing a motor cylinder, a cylinder head fixed to the upper end of said tubular member, an aperture in said cylinder head slidably receiving said piston rod, a piston slidably disposed in said cylinder and fixed to said piston rod, an axial passage in said piston rod communicating with the bore in said intermediate section, radial passages in said piston rod communicating with said axial passage and said cylinder below said piston, a lower cylinder head closing the lower end of said cylinder-and slidably receiving said piston rod, an elongated threaded skirt on said lower cylinder head, a slip engaging sleeve threadedly received on said skirt, a lock nut for locking said last named sleeve in adjusted position, a mandrel coupling member secured to the lower end of said piston rod and comprising spring fingers surrounding the enlargedupper end of said mandrel, jaws on the lower ends of said fingers for engaging under the shoulder on said mandrel, an internal flange on the lower end of said last named sleeve engaging said fingers to retain said jaws in shoulder engaging position and an axial exhaust passage in the lower end of said piston rod communicating with a radial exhaust passage movable into communication with said cylinder to exhaust gas pressuretherefrom upon completion of the setting operation, said fingers operating to release said mandrel upon movement of said jaws above said internal flange.

4. A device for setting a well packer having upper and lower expansible slips for engaging and gripping a well casing, an expansible packing collar of yieldable material disposed between said upper and lower slips, a slidable mandrel for expanding said slips and collar and means for locking said mandrel to hold said slips and collar in expanded engagement with said well casing, said mandrel having an enlarged upper end providing an annular shoulder, said device comprising an upper detonating section, an intermediate power generating section and a lower motor packer coupling and setting section, said upper section comprising an elongated cylindrical body, a rope coupling secured to the upper end of said body, a spring loaded plunger in the lower end of said body with the lower end projecting into a downwardly opening recess in said body, means mounted on said body for engaging said plunger to hold said plunger in retracted position, means for releasing said plunger and means on the lower end of said upper section for detachably securing the same to the upper end of said intermediate section, said intermediate section comprising a cylindrical member having an axial bore extending therethrough, a chamber in said bore for receiving an explosive cartridge, a block engaging the upper end of said member and a shoulder in the recess in said upper section, to hold said cartridge in place, a plug mounted in said block, an aperture in said plug for receiving a percussion cap, said aperture communicating with said cartridge chamber, means actuated by said plunger for striking a percussion cap positioned in said aperture and a piston rod detachably secured to the lower end of said intermediate section to secure said lower motor section thereto, said motor section comprising a tubular member providing a motor cylinder, a cylinder head fixed to the upper end of said tubular member, an aperture in said cylinder head slidably receiving said piston rod, a piston slidably disposed in said cylinder, and fixed to said piston rod, an axial passage in said piston rod communicating with the bore in said intermediate section, radial passages in said piston rod communicating with said axial passage and said cylinder below said piston a lower cylinder head closing the lower end of said cylinder and slidably receiving said piston rod, an elongated threaded skirt on said lower cylinder head, a slip engaging sleeve threadedly received on said skirt, a lock nut for locking said last named sleeve in adjusted position, a mandrel coupling member secured to the lower end of said piston rod and comprising spring fingers surrounding the enlarged upper end of said mandrel, jaws on the lower ends of said fingers for engaging under the shoulder on said mandrel, an internal flange on the lower end of said last named sleeve engaging said fingers to retain said jaws in shoulder engaging position and an axial exhaust passage in the lower end of said piston rod communicating with a radial exhaust passage movable into communication with said cylinder to exhaust gas pressure therefrom upon completion of the setting operation, said fingers operating to release said mandrel upon movement of said jaws above said internal flange.

5. A device for setting a well packer having upper and lower expansible slips forengaging and gripping a well casing, an expansible packing collar of yieldable material disposed between said upper and lower slips, a slidable mandrel for expanding said slips and collar and means for locking said mandrel to hold said slips and collar in expanded engagement with said well casing, said mandrel having an enlarged upper end providing an annular shoulder, said device comprising an upper detonating section, an intermediate power generating section and a lower motor and packer coupling and setting section, said upper section comprising an elongated cylindrical body, a rope coupling secured to the upper end of said body, a spring loaded plunger in the lower end of said body with the lower end projecting into a downwardly opening recess in said body, means mounted on said body for engaging said plunger to hold said plunger in retracted position, means for releasing said plunger and means on the lower end of said upper section detachably securing the same to the upper end of said intermediate section, said intermediate section comprising a cylindrical member having an axial bore extending therethrough, a chamber in said bore for receiving an explosive cartridge, a block engaging the upper end of said member and a shoulder in the recess in said upper section to hold said cartridge in place, a plug mounted in said block, an aperture in said plug for receiving a percussion cap, said aperture communicating with said cartridge chamber, means actuated by said plunger for striking a percussion cap in said aperture and a piston rod detachably secured to the lower end of said intermediate section to secure said lower motor section thereto, said motor section comprising a tubular member providing a motor cylinder, a cylinder head fixed to the upper end of said tubular member, an aperture in said cylinder head slidably receiving said piston rod, a piston slidably disposed in said cylinder and fixed to said piston rod, an axial passage in said piston rod communicating with the bore in said intermediate section, radial passages in said piston rod communicating with said axial passage and said cylinder below said piston, a lower cylinder head closing the lower end of said cylinder and slidably receiving said piston rod, a slip engaging sleeve adjustably mounted on said lower cylinder head, a mandrel coupling member secured to the lower end of said piston rod and comprising spring fingers surrounding the enlarged upper end of said mandrel, jaws on the lower ends of said fingers for engaging under the shoulder on said mandrel, an internal flange on the lower end of said last named sleeve engaging said fingers to retain said jaws in shoulder engaging position and an axial exhaust passage in the lower end of said piston rod communicating with a radial exhaust passagemovable into communication with said cylinder to exhaust gas pressure therefrom upon 1 1 completion of the setting operation, said fingers operating to release said mandrel upon movement of said jaws above said internal flange.

6. A device for setting a well packer having upper and lower expansible slips for engaging and gripping a Well casing, an expansible packing collar of yieldable material disposed between said upper and lower slips, a slidable mandrel for expanding said .slips and collar and means for locking saidv mandrel to hold said slips and collar in expanded engagement with said well casing, said mandrel having an enlarged upper end providing an annular shoulder, said device comprising an upper detonating section, an intermediate power generating section and a lower motor and packer coupling and setting section, said upper section comprising an elongated cylindri- 1 cal body, a rope coupling secured to the upper end of said body, a spring loaded plunger in the lower end of said body with the lower end projecting into a downwardly opening recess in said body, means mounted on said body for engaging said plunger to hold said plunger in retracted position, means for releasing said plunger and means on the lower end of said upper section for detachably securing the same to the upper end of said intermediate section, said intermediate section comprising a cylindrical member having an axial bore extending therethrough, a chamber in said bore for receiving an explosive cartridge, a block engaging the upper end of said member and a shoulder in the recess in said upper section to hold said cartridge .in place, a plug mounted in said block, an aperture in said plug for receiving a percussion cap, said aperture communicating with said cartridge chamber, means actuated by said plunger for striking a percussion cap positioned in said aperture and a piston rod detachably secured to the lower end of said intermediate section to secure said lower motor section thereto, said motor section comprising a tubular member providing a motor cylinder, a cylinder head fixed to the upper end of said tubular member, an aperture in said cylinder head slidably receiving said piston rod, a piston slidably disposed in said cylinder and fixed to said piston rod, an axial passage in said piston rod communieating with the bore in said intermediate section, radial passages in said piston rod communicating with said axial passage and said cylinder below said piston, a lower cylinder head closing the lower end of said cylinder and slidably receiving said piston rod, a slip engaging sleeve adjustably mounted on said lower cylinder head, a mandrel coupling member secured to the lower end of said piston rod and an axial exhaust passage in the lower end of said piston rod communicating with a radial exhaust passage movable into communication with said cylinder to exhaust gas pressure therefrom upon completion of the setting operation.

7. A device for setting a well packer having upper and lower expansible slips for engaging and gripping a Well casing, an expansible packing collar of yieldable material disposed between said upper and lower slips, a slidable mandrel for expanding said slips and collar and means for locking said mandrel to hold said slips and collar in expanded engagement with said well casing, said mandrel having an enlarged upper end providing an annular shoulder, said device comprising an upper detonating section, an intermediate power generating section and a lower motor and packer coupling and setting section, said upper section comprising an elongated cylindrical body, a rope and electrical conductor coupling on the upper end of said body, a downwardly opening recess in the lower end of said body, a spring loaded contact slidably mounted in said body and projeeting into said recess, an electrical connection between said conductor and said contact and means on the lower end of said upper section for detachably securing the same to the upper end of said intermediate section, said intermediate section comprising a cylindrical member having an axial bore extending therethrough, a chamber in said bore for receiving an explosive cartridge, a block engaging the upper end of said member and said cartridge to hold said cartridge in place, an aperture in said block for receiving a detonating cap, said aperture communicating with said cartridge chamber, said contact resiliently engaging a cap positioned in said aperture to conduct electricity thereto and a piston rod detachably secured to the lower end of said intermediate section to secure said lower motor section thereto, said motor section comprising a tubular member providing a motor cylinder, a cylinder head fixed to the upper end of said tubular member, an aperture in said cylinder head slidably receiving said piston rod, a piston slidably disposed in said cylinder and fixed to said piston rod, an axial passage in said piston rod communicating with the bore in said intermediate section, radial passages in said piston rod communicating with said axial passage and said cylinder below said piston, a lower cylinder head closing the lower end of said cylinder and slidably receiving said piston rod, a slip engaging sleeve adjustably secured on said lower cylinder head, a mandrel coupling member secured to the lower end of said piston rod and an axial exhaust passage in the lower end of said piston rod communicating with a radial exhaust passage movable into communication with said cylinder to exhaust gas pressure therefrom upon completion of the setting operation.

8. A device for setting a well packer having upper and lower expansible slips for engaging and gripping a well casing, an cxpansible packing collar of yieldable material disposed between said upper and lower slips, 2. slidable mandrel for expanding said slips and collar and means for locking said mandrel to hold said slips and collar in expanded engagement with said well casing, said mandrel having an enlarged upper end providing an annular shoul der, said device comprising an upper section, an intermediate power generating section and a lower motor and packer coupling and setting section, said upper section comprising an elongated cylindrical body, a rope coupling secured to the upper end of said body, means on the lower end of said upper section detachably securing the same to the upper end of said intermediate section, said intermediate section comprising a cylindrical member having an axial bore extending therethrough, a chamber in said bore for receiving an explosive cartridge, a block engaging the upper end of said member and said cartridge to hold said cartridge in place, means on said block for receiving a percussion cap, means to detonate said percussion cap and detonate said cartridge and a piston rod detachably secured to the lower end of said intermediate section to secure said lower motor section thereto, said motor section comprising a tubular member providing a motor cylinder, a cylinder head fixed to the upper end of said tubular member, an aperture in said cylinder head slidably receiving said piston rod, a piston slidably disposed in said cylinder and fixed to said piston rod, an axial passage in said piston rod communicating with the bore in said intermediate section, radial passages in said piston rod communicating with said axial passage and said cylinder below said piston, a lower cylinder head closing the lower end of said cylinder and slidably receiving said piston rod, a slip engaging sleeve adjustably mounted on said lower cylinder head, a mandrel coupling member secured to the lower end of said piston rod and comprising spring fingers surrounding the enlarged upper end of said mandrel, jaws on the lower ends of said fingers for engaging under the shoulder on said mandrel, an internal flange on the lower end of said last named sleeve engaging said fingers to retain said jaws in shoulder engaging position and an axial exhaust passage in the lower end of said piston rod communicating with a radial exhaust passage movable into communication with said cylinder to exhaust gas pressure therefrom upon completion of the setting operation, said fingers operating to release said mandrel upon movement of said jaws above said internal flange.

9. A device for setting a well packer having upper and lower expansible slips for engaging and gripping a well casing, an expansible packing collar of yieldable material disposed between said upper and lower slips, a slidable mandrel for expanding said slips and collar and means for locking said mandrel to hold said slips and collar in engagement with said well casing, said mandrel having an enlarged upper end providing a shoulder, said device comprising an upper section, an intermediate power generating section and a lower motor and packer .coupling and setting section, said upper section comprising an elongated cylindrical body, a rope coupling secured to the upper end of said body, means on the lower end of said upper section for detachably securing the same to the upper end of said intermediate section, said intermediate section comprising a cylindrical member having an axial bore extending therethrough, a chamber in said bore for receiving an explosive cartridge, a block engaging the upper end of said member and said cartridge to hold said cartridge in place, means on said block for receiving a percussion cap, means to detonate said percussion cap and said cartridge and a piston rod detachably secured to the lower end of said intermediate section to secure said lower motor section thereto, said motor section comprising a with said axial passage and said cylinder below said piston, a lower cylinder head closing the lower end of said cylinder and slidably receiving said piston rod, a slip engaging sleeve adjustably mounted on said lower cylinder head, a mandrel coupling member secured to the lower end of said piston rod and an axial exhaust passage in the lower end of said piston rod communicating with a radial exhaust passage movable into communication with said cylinder to exhaust gas pressure therefrom upon completion of the setting operation.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,707,999 Ragan May 10, 1955 2,713,910 Baker et a1. July 26, 1955 2,760,583 Kline et al Aug. 28, 1956 2,799,343 Conrad July 16, 1957 2,807,325 Webb Sept. 24, 1957 

